Power Kite Forum

Upstate NY locations (Albany)??

bigben91682 - 12-1-2009 at 08:22 PM

I'm new to power kiting and I'm looking for a good spot to fly, static for now, onto a snowboard once I get more confident with the kite.

I live in Albany NY and I was hoping there was someone on here who may know some good spots. I've scoured the forums but not finding much local. Tug Hill sounds awesome but is a haul for me.....any ideas?

Jovver - 22-1-2009 at 01:29 PM

I am also in the Albany area, currently going to RPI. So far, I've been using the on campus fields for my smaller trainer kites, but I haven't found a very good open spot to fly. I have been to SUNY Albany's campus once (specifically the big circular section in the North side), but I'm afraid it won't be enough room for the 10m. Are you familiar at all with Round Lake? If the ice is thick enough I'd say let's try and meet there.

Erik

ragden - 22-1-2009 at 01:50 PM

There is a snow-kiting even taking place on the weekend of the 31st of January taking place in the Lowville area. Might be a little bit of a haul for you guys, but if you are interested in learning, and have your own snowgear (boots, bindings, board/skis), it might be a great opportunity for you to check out the sport.

Here is a link to the registration information page: http://www.lewiscountyrecreation.com/kiteskiing.shtml

Here is a link to the maps of the fields people will be flying at:
http://www.kiteforum.com/download/file.php?id=24053

There is no charge to go, just sign the forms, send them in, and get yourself there. Far as I know.

Jovver - 22-1-2009 at 04:07 PM

Thanks for the info ragden. What was the turnout like last year and how many people are planning on going this year?

bigben91682 - 22-1-2009 at 05:15 PM

Tug Hill sounds like a really good spot to fly, I can't make the event because I'm actually going to be in the Bahamas....maybe next year.

Jovver - I know round lake, that would probably be a good spot with enough wind. I think Saratoga Lake would be good as well, lots of room up there. At the moment I only have a 3m Beamer and I want to learn that, and maybe in strong enough wind go for a ride on the snowboard, eventually I'd like to move up to a de-power.....want to learn the ropes first.

BTW - What's your major at RPI? I did my undergrad at Clarkson, so if you're into hockey I'm technically your rival! hah!

ragden - 22-1-2009 at 05:17 PM

I wasnt there last year, unfortunately, but i've heard there are going to be lots of people there this year. No idea what actual turnout will be. I know there will be people doing lessons, and demos of other kites. I think an Ozone rep is going to be there as well doing demos. Could be a great opportunity to get out and try some stuff.

If you cant make it, hope you get some good winds in yer neck of the woods too. :)

Jovver - 22-1-2009 at 09:09 PM

bigben91682,

I'm majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in design, and although I'm not so big on hockey I do know one thing... Clarkson sucks!!! :bouncy: :bouncy: :smilegrin: Lol, jk. Anyways, do you know if the lake is suitable for any kiting activities? I would assume that if there are ice fishers on the lake, then it is probably safe for me. It is looking to be a really windy day this Saturday, so I might head up there to check it out.

ragden,

I took a look at the site, and the brochure for the event. Is there any areas for just open kiting or is it lesson based only? Also, do I have to use skis or boards, or can I fly static?

ragden - 23-1-2009 at 12:13 PM

I'm sure you could fly static if you wanted. Skis or snowboard, it is totally your call. I see people who ride both. Its a matter of personal preference really. I am pretty sure you can fly at any one of the sites listed. Those sites that are noted for a particular activity are just to let people know where to go for that activity. I am pretty sure there will be plenty of space for you to do whatever you want at any of the sites. They are all pretty large, from what I have heard. Though I havent been to the largest of the sites. The other ones are quite large though, and offer plenty of room to play around doing whatever it is that makes you happy. :)

bigben91682 - 23-1-2009 at 01:21 PM

Jovver,

I think either lake - round/saratoga - have plenty of room to ride and I would think with the cold strech we've had the ice is plenty thick. Like you, if I see ice fishers I assume it's OK. There is a bait shop at the northern end of Saratoga Lake, I've thought about stopping their to ask about the ice conditions, some lakes around here have a channel that never freezes because enough water keeps moving.

There is also a sod farm in Mechanicville which I've thought about trying to get in touch with the owner to get permission to use the fields, but I've been to busy. They are huge open areas, and could theoretically be used year around. I imagine a land board is damn fun on open expanses of manicured grass.

That's cool your your a MechE, I did civil engineering at Clarkson, now I design bridges for DOT.

My folks are visiting this weekend, so I can't get away, unless it's Sunday afternoon if they leave early enough....so no flying for me this weekend. Looks like I'll be waiting until I go to the Bahamas in a few weeks.

Post back how the conditions are if you end up going this weekend. Do any of your friends do it or are you a lone warrior?

Jovver - 23-1-2009 at 02:34 PM

Well Tug Hill sounds like the perfect opportunity to try out my new snowblades (if they come in time), and to get a few more flying hours in. It will be a bit of a drive for me (3 hrs), so I don't think I will make it by the start of the event. Maybe by 11 at the earliest.

Quote:
Originally posted by bigben91682
Post back how the conditions are if you end up going this weekend. Do any of your friends do it or are you a lone warrior?


I will definitely let you know what I make of this weekend. And for the time being, I am a bit of a lone warrior. I know two others that are interested, one doesn't have a kite of his own, and the other has a 13m for kitesurfing, but it is not up here at school with him.

bigben91682- On another note, I tried emailing the owner of the private airport on the the east side of Round Lake to see if we could use those fields for flying, since the airport is closed from November through April. So far I haven't had any luck.

bigben91682 - 25-1-2009 at 07:19 PM

Jovver....How was the Tug this weekend??

Jovver - 26-1-2009 at 11:28 AM

I didn't end up going out this weekend, cause I spent most of the weekend recovering from a cold. Luckily the event is scheduled for next weekend, so we will see what happens. One a side note, is Tug hill open for kiting any other weekends, or just for events like these?

bigben91682 - 26-1-2009 at 03:49 PM

Yeah, I thought it was this past weekend, but it's next....oops

That would be good to know if there are open areas that are kite friendly in the Tug Hill area.
Anybody know from experience?

ragden - 27-1-2009 at 08:15 AM

I have been up there on some off weekends, with friends. We hooked up with Jan, the organizer of the Tug Hill event this coming weekend both times. There are some fields that we have "open" permission to fly on, but you want to touch base with him to confirm that. Also, we tend to drop by and talk with the land owners before we fly, just to confirm everything is still cosher. The one downside, is that Jan doesnt always respond to e-mails. I'll track down his information and tack it into this post.

edit: POC for TUG HILL-- Jan (jan@tiadventures.com)

bigben91682 - 2-2-2009 at 04:36 PM

so how was tug hill??

Beautiful weather, fresh snow, if you had the wind it must have been sweet.

Jovver - 2-2-2009 at 04:44 PM

Like I said in the other post, unfortunately I didn't make it up to the Tug this year. Maybe next time.

bobalooie57 - 22-3-2009 at 06:39 AM

Well, you guys will have to make sure you can make it next year. I first saw snowkiting at the first tug hill fly in (2008) and had to get into the sport. Jan,(TIadventures) has been a very valuable source of help, information, and inspiration. You should contact him, though he will soon be busy kayaking. I am currently looking for open areas for KGBing, and will post them up as soon as I have found them. B

bigben91682 - 22-3-2009 at 06:53 AM

I'm defnintely going to make a point of getting up there next year, KiteStorm as well. Looks like a lot of fun, and around here in Albany there aren't of people to fly with.

On that note, bobalooie where are you from?? Definitely post up spots as you find them.